Wales 4-1 Finland: David Brooks, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Daniel James book Euro 2024 play-off final spot
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Updated 21/03/2024 at 23:08 GMT
Wales took a step closer to Euro 2024 qualification courtesy of an emphatic 4-1 victory over Finland in Cardiff in their playoff semi-final. David Brooks opened the scoring before Neco Williams' brilliant second. Teemu Pukki pulled one back for the visitors before the break but Brennan Johnson restored the two-goal advantage in the second half before Daniel James put the icing on the cake late on.
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Wales eased their way into the UEFA Euro 2024 play-off final after beating Finland 4-1 on Thursday to set up a clash with Poland to determine who will reach Germany this summer.
David Brooks gave Wales the dream start when he volleyed home a rebound from Harry Wilson’s saved effort inside three minutes, before the hosts doubled their lead late in the half when Neco Williams emphatically rifled a 20-yard strike into the top right corner from a free-kick.
Frustratingly for Wales, Teemu Pukki clawed a goal back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time from nothing, when he slipped the ball beyond Danny Ward to give his nation a glimmer of hope.
However, Wales started the second half just as they did the third, striking early to restore their two-goal advantage, as Johnson calmly tapped the ball in at the back post from another well-worked set-piece.
Robert Page’s side had a goal ruled out when Ben Davies’ header was determined to have not crossed the line, but it did not matter as Dan James came off the bench to wrap up the victory in style.
Wales will face Poland on Tuesday at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Path A play-off final after Robert Lewandowski’s side beat Estonia 5-1.
The winners will be rewarded with a spot in Group D at the Euros, alongside France, Austria and the Netherlands.
Talking point - Wales are one step away from Euro 2024
Can they do it again? Can Wales reach a third successive European Championship campaign? The odds are in their favour, although they need to get past a tricky Poland outfit if they want to reach Germany.
After reaching a major tournament for the first time in 58 years back in 2016, Wales are looking to reach a fourth tournament out of the last five. They have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and were a level above Finland on Thursday.
The attacking threat of Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Dan James and even David Brooks - who is back to his best after a turbulent few years with health issues - is enough to cause any side problems and they have it in them to propel Wales to yet another tournament.
Player of the match - David Brooks (Wales)
An exceptional performance from an exceptionally talented player. It has been three years since the Bournemouth player, currently on loan at Southampton, received a cancer diagnosis and was forced to take time out of the game.
But now he is back and he looks better than ever. He gave Wales the perfect start to the game when he slammed home in the third minute and the hosts never looked back.
The 26-year-old also grabbed an assist to cap off a fine display.
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CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 21: David Brooks of Wales celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs Semi-final match between Wales and Finland at Cardiff City Stadium on March 21, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Gett
Image credit: Eurosport
Match ratings
Wales: Ward 6, Mepham 7, Rodon 7, Davies 6, Roberts 7, Ampadu 7, J.James 7, Williams 8, Wilson 8, Brooks 9, Johnson 8
Subs: D.James 8, Broadhead N/A, Moore 6
Finland: Hradecky 5, Alho 5, Tenho 4, Ivanov 5, Peltola 5, Schuller 6, Kamara 6, Pohjanpalo 7, Lod 5, Hakans 6, Pukki 7
Subs: F. Jensen 6,Kairinen 6, Antman 5, Kallman 5, Niskanen N/A
Match highlights
3’ - GOAL!! - WALES 1-0 FINLAND (BROOKS): It's the perfect start for Wales! Hradecky gets down quickly to deny Wilson's low effort, but Brooks is in the right place to slam home the rebound!
38’ - GOAL!! WALES 2-0 FINLAND (WILLIAMS): It's Williams who steps up and thunders the ball into the top right corner to double Wales' lead! What a finish from the Nottingham Forest full-back. A tremendous goal.
44’ - GOAL!! WALES 2-1 FINLAND (PUKKI): Finland are back in it! It is far too easy for the visitors, as Pohjanpalo slips Pukki through on goal for the striker to poke the ball beyond Ward. It came from absolutely nothing and Wales will be disappointed!
47’ - GOAL!! WALES 3-1 FINLAND (JOHNSON): It's another fantastic start to the half for Wales, as Johnson puts the hosts 3-1 ahead! It comes from a free kick, which is headed back across goal by Ampadu, helped on by Brooks before Johnson calmly taps in at the back post. Two-goal lead restored!
79’ - GOAL!! WALES 4-1 FINLAND (DAVIES): Game, set and match Wales! Finland looked to have cleared Davies’ header from a corner thanks to a brilliant Hradecky save, but the referee gives the green light saying it went over the line!
81’ - OR MAYBE NOT… WALES 3-1 FINLAND: Hang on, they're going to VAR to double check. And the goal is ruled out. The ball didn't fully cross the line and it remains 3-1.
85’ - GOAL!! WALES 4-1 FINLAND (JAMES): Scintillating stuff from James and Wales do get their fourth! He chases down Finland defender Tenho, who makes an absolute mess of the situation as he falls over, James runs clear through on goal, rounds the keeper and slots the ball home to continue his fine goalscoring form!
Key stats
- Before their victory against Finland on Thursday, Wales had never won a European Championship play-off match, drawing and losing against each of Hungary in 1962/1963, Yugoslavia in 1976 and Russia in 2003.
- Dan James has six goal contributions in his last six home matches for Wales, scoring twice and assisting four.
- Wales are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Finland in all competitions.
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